Mr. Fanimo: Foreigners Now More Than Indigenous Voters in Borno Polls

Maiduguri — Public affairs analyst, Mr. Fanimo, has raised serious concerns about alleged electoral irregularities in Borno State, claiming that the number of foreign nationals who participate in elections often exceeds that of indigenous voters.

Speaking during a live program on VOP TV, Fanimo described the situation as a threat to Nigeria’s electoral integrity, warning that unchecked participation of non-citizens could distort democratic outcomes and undermine public trust in the system.

“The number of indigenous people from Borno is always fewer than the foreigners who come in to vote,” he said.

He explained that Nigeria’s porous borders, particularly around the Lake Chad region, make it easy for non-Nigerians from neighboring countries to cross into the state during elections to vote illegally.

According to him, this trend has persisted for years and continues to influence election results, especially in border communities where voter verification is weak and security oversight is limited.

“If INEC and the security agencies don’t address this issue, we will keep having elections decided by people who aren’t even Nigerians,” Fanimo warned.

He urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to strengthen the voter registration and accreditation process by deploying BVAS technology effectively and coordinating with border security forces to prevent illegal participation.

Fanimo also called on political parties to desist from exploiting foreign voters for electoral advantage, describing it as an act of treason against the Nigerian state.

“Elections must reflect the will of Nigerians, not outsiders. Until we protect our borders and enforce the law, our democracy will remain compromised,” he concluded.

Observers have repeatedly expressed similar concerns about cross-border voter interference in Nigeria’s northern states, especially during general elections.